Saturday, January 10, 2015

The first day is always a bit hectic, so please try to be at the field at least 15 minutes before the start... so please be at Salemwood School Gym by 9:45, if not earlier, to get your uniforms and to get situated.

The gym is behind the school and there is a parking lot there with street parking in the neighborhood.

Most importantly, please remember to have dry AND clean shoes for the gym tomorrow. We want to be respectful of the facility and keep the environment safe for all of our young athletes.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Welcome to winter soccer for U7 for the Under 7 age group. You should have received an email with your child's team assignment. Contact the league if you do not receive it by the end of Sunday January 4.

There are several things you need to know before the first day.

The Blog

This Blog will be the primary source for information, schedules, directions etc. Please bookmark it. Feel free to use it and let us know what we can do to improve any aspect of U7 Soccer.

Cancellations due to weather will be posted to the blog... please check it within an hour of the start time on game-day morning. If you do not have access to the internet on Sunday mornings, please let me know.

Parents will need to supply...

If you already have the correct uniform, please use it. If not, the league will supply a shirt, shorts and socks on the first day

Indoor, clean, dry sneakers. Sneakers must be clean and dry. In the winter months, this often means that different footwear should be used to get to the gym. We play on a gym surface. Please be sure to have the appropriate shoes.

Shin pads are required. Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.

A size 3 ball with the players name on it

Long pants and long sleeved shirt worn under the team shirt if desired

Water - for frequent breaks

Food is NOT ALLOWED in the Salemwood Gym

The Schedule

The season begins on Sunday, January 11 and the last day is Sunday, March 15. We will not schedule a game on Feb. 15, which is the first weekend of February vacation. We may use it for a snow day if conditions allow for it. This will be announced later.

All U7 soccer will be on Sunday mornings, with a single 80 minute session starting at 10:00. The session will be split between drills/skills practice and scrimmage against another team.

Our Philosophy

At the U7 level we continue focusing on basic skills, and begin incorporating more of the basic rules into the experience.

Our primary focus remains providing a fun and healthy environment for the kids to discover their emerging soccer skills. We do not focus on winning. We don't keep official score, celebrate wins, or mourn losses. We strive for every player to get equal playing time, and try to keep the number of players on the field small in order to maximize opportunities to play. We reward skillful play, good attitudes and sportsmanship.

Here are some additional notes about the U7 format:

For this indoor session we will play 5v5 or 4v4 depending on attendance. Coaches will decide at game time.

Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.

We will be using the smaller Pug nets and will not use goalies

Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes

If the ball goes out of the side bounds it should be "thrown-in" as quickly as possible by the team that did not kick it out

The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game

After each goal, the team scored upon will start again by kicking-off at center. A successful kick-off means that the ball needs to roll 1 revolution forward and be touched by another player

Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side

No off-sides called

We also will be changing halfs of the field at half-time

Basic Rules for Parents

At least one adult supervisor must stay during the entire session and is responsible for watching kids if they wander away from play

Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged when appropriate but please try not to interfere with the session

Due to insurance rules players who are not registered with the league cannot play

Players must not wear jewelry such as earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.